Barça resurrects at the Roig Arena

Barça beat Valencia Basket (62-66) this Thursday on matchday 32 of the Euroleague to get out of a very bad dynamic based on faith and fight in a game of errors at the Roig Arena, where Joel Parra was decisive from start to finish.

Xavi Pascual’s men, who had lost six in the last seven European games, took off their heavy backpack and let loose at the home of a Valencia side that was out of its usual rhythm and without success. Barça didn’t have it either, but a rebound and a steal by Parra in the last seconds gave the Catalans their 18th victory, vital to not fall from the ‘Top 10’, while Valencia was left with 20.

The Spanish international, with 14 points, 9 rebounds and a PIR of 19, the insistence of Will Clyburn, author of an equally vital triple, and Jan Vesely, were the trident that saved Barça from burning in the Cremà de las Fallas. Meanwhile, Pedro Martínez’s men did not take advantage of the visitor’s total collapse in the last quarter, nor of the fragility of a Barça that was resurrected at the Roig Arena.

The Catalan team put everything in the first half to prevent the ‘taronja’ rhythm and be in the game without thinking about the bad streak. Pascual’s defense prevailed and Valencia attacked quickly when they could but without success, although the visitors did not engage excessively either. Despite going 3 of 15 in triples, the ‘taronja’ team was able to cut from 22-31 to 33-35 at halftime.

With Tornike Shengelia still out, plus the long-term loss of Nicolás Laprovíttola, Barça had the initial scare of Jan Vesely’s blow, but the Czech was able to return to the court. Furthermore, Pascual had to control Tomas Satoransky, although Juani Marcos did well, and even made two triples in the first quarter (15-18). With the second act, Barça escaped with a 0-8 partial.

However, Valencia found resources in a larger wardrobe and, with ups and downs, it was cutting the various Barça incomes. Fundamental was the entry of Neal Sako, like Jean Montero or Josep Puerto, with a triple at the buzzer, although the match did not shine on points, Joel Parra stood out for the visitors. The inspiration of Darius Thompson ended up turning the score around at the beginning of the third quarter.

Meanwhile, Pascual’s men continued rebounding and giving balls to a Clyburn at war with himself, as did more than one of the Barça players, as well as Willy Hernangómez. Valencia threatened to find the triple, with the successes of Braxton Key and Omari Moore, but it was just a mirage (52-53). The lack of points was also noticeable in the free throw, with cheers for Sako for scoring.

Valencia achieved the maximum at the beginning of the last quarter (58-53) and Pedro Martínez’s men had it in their power to finish off a Barça that was physically and mentally affected. With a basket in seven minutes, Barça returned to the game with a triple from Vesely. With mistakes on both sides, the extra lives of the rebound ended up saving a Barça in need of joy, with Parra allowing Clyburn’s triple and stealing the last home possession.

TECHNICAL SHEET.

–RESULT: VALENCIA BASKET, 62 – BARÇA, 66. (33-35, at halftime).

–TEAMS.

VALENCIA BASKET: Badio (-), Thompson (7), Puerto (8), Reuvers (3) and Pradilla (8) –starting quintet–; Montero (11), De Larrea (-), Costello (-), Moore (8), Key (5), Sako (12).

BARÇA: Satoransky (3), Punter (3), Cale (3), Parra (14) and Vesely (11) –starting quintet–; Brizuela (7), Clyburn (13), Norris (4), Hernangómez (2), Fall (-), Marcos (6).

–PARTIALS: 15-18, 18-17, 19-18, 10-13.

–REFEREES: Belosevic, Difallah and Petek. No eliminated.

–PAVILLION: Roig Arena.